Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that typically starts in the ends of growing bones, most often in children and young adults. It is frequently found in the arms and legs, but can be found in any bone. The first symptoms your child may experience could be bone pain, swelling, a broken bone or fatigue. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. It can be classified as high (most common), intermediate or low grade (very rare), depending on how the cells look under the microscope. This determines how likely the disorder is to grow and spread to other parts of the body.

Discover Our Difference

University of Minnesota Health physicians diagnose and treat more patients with sarcomas than any other pediatric center in Minnesota. Our program offers comprehensive treatment under one roof, something unique in the Twin Cities. We can provide your child with a customized treatment plan that addresses his or her specific needs.

We were the first to develop continuous infusion ifosfamide and paclitaxel for sarcoma and among the few to offer RANKL antibody chemotherapy for giant-cell bone tumors. We also are successful in limb-salvage procedures, resulting in fewer amputations than national averages.

In addition, the University of Minnesota houses the only National Cancer Institute-funded Children’s Oncology Group phase 1 program in Minnesota. This means we offer more clinical trials than any other children’s hospital in the state. New treatments are discovered and applied here first, often becoming national standards of care. Ask your child’s physician about participating in a clinical trial.

Osteosarcoma Expertise

University of Minnesota Health doctors are members of multiple organizations including the Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration (SARC), the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS), the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, and other clinical trial groups, enabling us to keep up to date on new technologies and therapies.

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month

We are proud supporters of Rein in Sarcoma, a local foundation dedicated to funding sarcoma cancer research, supporting patients and educating the public about sarcomas.

Discrimination is Against the Law. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws. We do not discriminate against, exclude or treat people differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.